Automatic rain-water cut-off and filter



(No M-odel.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. W. W. BAYS.

AUTOMATIC RAIN WATER GUT-OFF AND FILTER.

No. 513,000: Patented Jah. 16, 1894.

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(No Model.) s sheets-sheen 2. f

W. W. BAYS.' AUTOMATIC RANWATER GUT-OPF AND FILTER.

No. 513,000. Patented Jam 16, 1894.

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W. W. BAYS; AUTOMATIC RAIN WATER CUT-OPF AND FILTER. N0. 513,000 Patented Jan. 16, 1894.

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN Nrrut) STATES APATENT -rricn.

WILLIAM WV. BAYS, OF ROME, GEORGIA.

AUTOMATIC RAIN-WATER CUT-oFF AND FiLTER.

.SPECIFICATION forming part of' Letters Patent No. 513,000, dated January 16, v18.94.

Application filed July 24.1893. Serial No. 481,292. (No modell) directed, by automatic action, to a cistern or other receiving reservoir.

The objects of my invention are to provide a combined rain-water cut-oft and filter which will be neat, simple and comparatively inexpensive, and in which the several parts of the apparatus shall be so constructed and arranged as to be efficient and reliable, and free from any liability ot becoming disarranged or getting out of repair.

To these ends myinvention consists in the features of construction and novel combinations of devices, in a rain-water cuteoff and filter, as hereinafter more fully set forth,and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the annexed drawings illustrating the invention,Figure I is a front elevation of a combined rain-water cut-off and filter,em

bodying my improvements, the front vertical wall or lid of the vessel or deflector casing being removed, and also a portion of a dam oi splasher immediately inside the lower front portion of the casing fitting against the inside of the lid, and showing the deflecting devices in normal position. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the same, and also showing the funnel-shaped outlets 3 and 4. Fig. 3 is a plan of the apparatus, and showing the lateral series of large holes in the break-water. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of the apparat-us. Fig. 5 is a front elevation with the lid or front cover in place. Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal section illustrating a modification in the form of the casing and defiector spout. Fig. 7 is aperspective of the automatically oscillatory deflectiug mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l designates the casing or inclosing vessel of the deflecting mechanism and filtering devices. able material, such, for instance, as tin-Ware, sheet-iron, zinc, galvanized iron, cast metal or wood. Though the casing may have any appropriate form, I prefer a curved or circular shape, because the casing will thereby the better drain or empty itself of all Water and thus prevent injury from settlings, rusting and freezing. Moreover, by adopting a circular form, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, or an elliptical form, as shown in Fig. 6, the casing can be more easily and cheaply manufactured and will presentsannore neat and tasteful appearance.

The casing 1 may be supported in any7 convenient manner, preferably upon a bench, table, or shelf 2 which may have openings for passage of the outlet pipes 3 and 4. If'sup ported in this manner the casing l, may be secured to the bench, table or shelf by means of nails or screws or other fastenings passed through or engaged with a horizontal stay or brace 5, attached to and extended between the outlet pipes 3 and 4, as shown in Fig. 1. Or as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the casing l may be attached to the side of a house or other support by means of lugs or flanges 6, located on the rear side edges ofthe casing and perforated for passage of tacks or nails. If desired, the casing may be provided with handles 7, as shownin Fig. l. Curved braces, 8, may be secured'to the lower portions of the curved casing rim and contiguous portions of the outlet pipes 3 and 4:, to strengthen these parts and give a nished appearance to the apparatus, as shown in Figs. l, 5,and 6.

Above the casing of the 'rain-water cut-olf and connected with the down spout or conduit from the roof or other water-shed, is a receiving spout 9, preferably provided with two or more elbows l0, to break the force of the falling water.

In the top of the casing l, is' an #opening surrounded by an outwardly flared liangel2 that receives and supports a removable hopper 13, which is extended downward within the casing. When the apparatus is in position, this hopper 13 is beneath the rain spout 9, leading from the gutters on a root' or other Water-shed. The upper part of the hopper 13 is provided with a fixed or removable fil- This casing may be made ot anysuit- -axlef24 abuts.

tering screen 14, Figs. 1 and 3, which may be made of rather coarsewire cloth or other suitable material adapted to prevent leaves, bugs, sticks, chips or any coarse, solid matter from entering the hopper.v

Beneath the iilter 14, and supported in one side of the hopper 13 is a breakwater 15, which consists of a tank or receptacle having a foraminous bottom 16, and provided at one side with a vertical wall or flange 17, having in the center of its upper edge a notch 18, to which a short spout 19 is fitted. In the perforated'tank bottom 16 is a centrally lateral series of larger perforations 2O for a purpose to be presently explained.

The lower end of the hopper 13 descends some distance inside the casing or vessel 1 andterminates on one side with a laterally Aand longitudinally cur-ved deflector 21, preferably rounded at the end as shown in Fig. 2, and .somewhat bent and made trough like ory spout'like. This curved and trough like deiiector 21vis provided in its longitudinal-center with a series of perforations 22 as shown in Figs. vl and 2. The hopper 13 can be easily removed'in order to give. access to its interior, forcleaning any of the attached parts, or for -otherpurposes vIn ythe center of the casing 1 is pivotally,

supported a hollow approximately crossshaped deiiecting device comprisingla vertical,-or'nearly vertical, hollow arm or spout 23, .that .is adapted t0 be rocked or oscillated automatically toward either side of the casingfor the purpose of directing the first flow of :soiled Water into the waste pipe'3 andthev subsequent iiow of clean water into the outlet ipe 4 leading to a cistern or other reservoir. The hollow oscillatory arm or spout 23 is open atboth ends, as shown in Fig. 1, and is sup-v portedat or about its center ona transverse khorizontal shaft or axle 24, to whichsaid spout is firmly fastened. The rear end of the axle 24 maybe journaled in. the rear verticalwall of thecasing Vthrough which it is passed at or about .the center of said wall (Figs. 1 and 4).

On theoutside of the casing isfastened a disk i or button 25 against which the rear end of the The rear portion of thefaxle: ,24 .may also rest in a somewhat V-shaped bear-.

ing 26 fastened to the inside of the casing and serving also, as a guide for assisting in `more conveniently placing the rear end of the axle l24, in properposition. The front end of the axle, 24, is supported by a horizontal bar V27, that is removably supported across the central portion of the front of the casing irn-v mediately inside a removable front or lid 28, Figs.2 and 5, by removal of which access may be `had to the interior of the casing. (See Figs. 1 and 3.) The bar 27 is provided with ahole in Vthe middle through which is passed the lfront end of the axle 24 which may also betpassed through a hole in the lid 28, and

abut against a disk or button 29 fastened toy the outside thereof, (as seen in Figs. 2 and 5.)

The two ends of the bar 27 are bent inward,

at right angles, to form attaching lugs 30,

Figs. .2 and 4, that are removably supportedl 23 is provided on one side with a hollow, preferably open-top arm or cup 33, and on the other side with a hollow arm or box 34,Whch arms 23, 33 and 34 constitute a somewhat crucit'orm oscillatory defiecting device, operating simultaneously in all its parts. The Vertical open ended arm or spout23 has a tapering form and is much smaller at it-s lower end than at the'top which loosely surrounds the lower end .of the hopper 13, as shown in Fig. 1. It-'may be madeto slope .uniformly from top to bottom, as shown in Fig. Y1, or it ymay be flared-or funnel shaped from the top down to the arms 33 and 34 and be thence continued downward with parallel sides-as shown in Fig. 6.

Within the hollow oscillatoryarm.orspout 23 is atrough attachedto the inner side of said spout adjacent tothe cup v33 with which ysaid trough communicates th-rough Van open- .ing 35a near the topofthe inner end of said cup. The trough 35 receives vWater 'from the lower end of theideflector'21 and-also .from'a slightly inclined trough 36 which isarranged centrally across the upper portion of the oscillatory spout 23 below and in line with the perforations 22 in the centerof said deliector.

One end of the trough 36-.rests on the trough 35 and empties therein and theother endabuts against the opposite inner wall of the spout 23 as shown in.Fig.'1. This trough 36 is for the purpose of insuring a vsufficient iiow of water to the trough 35 and cup 33 even when IOO the quantity of rain water coming into the hopper 13 and spout 23 is inconsiderable and when possibly, the water falling from the deflector 21 might not reach the trough 35, after the distance between them has been considerably increased, by the movement of the defiecting device from its normal position. The trough or .channel.36, passing quite acrossthe cavity of the vertical hollow arm or spout 23, cannot fail to receive a sufficient quantityof water from the point of the defiector 21 vand from its series of holes 22 to keep the-cup33 filled during the rainfall. so inclined as to always lead the water received by it into the trough 35, and its location and inclination are such that it will never con liict with the detiector 21, below which it is placed. The trough 35 has its top covered with a strainer or Iilter 37 made of perforated metal, wire cloth or other suitable material and sufficiently inclined to drain itself The trough 36 .is

and allow all solid particles to bedislodged from it and thereby prevent rusting and clogging. The purpose of this strainer or filter is to prevent any solid matter from entering the trough 35, and cup 33, communicating therewith. The opening,35, should be l0- that the water in it will always flow that way and escape through said outlet, even when" the oscillatory deiieoting device is in the n ormal position represented in Fig. l, thus insuring perfect drainage of the cup after the rainfall has ceased. In the upper part of the cup 33, preferably at its outer end, there is another and somewhat larger outlet 39 which allows water to escape from the cup after it is sufficiently filled and prevents overflowing at the top edges of the cup.

The hollow arm or box 34 may consist of one or more longitudinal compartments, closed on all sides except where provided on top with holes 40, and in the bottom with small holes 4l, Fig. l or it may be cylindrical in form, if desired. The upper holes or openings40 permit insertion of the rolling balls or weights 42 and the smallholes 4l are intended for escape of any water that might accidentally enter the ball compartment, 3 4. 'i The balls 42 give sufficient weight to the arm,

34, to normally throw the oscillatory spout 23 into such position as to communicate with the waste pipe 3 and conduct therethrough the first iow of soiled water from the roof. Thel hollow arm or cup 33 is designed for the temporary retention of 'a sufficient quantity of water, gradually accumulated therein during a rainfall to overcome the weight of the opposite arm 34 and contained balls 42 and at the proper time, automatically shift the discharge end of the spout 23 from its( normal position and cause the remaining iiow of water, now clean, to pass into the outlet pipe 4, and thence to a cistern.

The time occupied in sufficiently iilling the cup 33 to make it overbalance the arm 34 and balls 42, and thus reverse the normal position of the oscillatory defiecting device, 23, 33, 34, will depend upon the relative areas of the openings or passages 35', and 38, and also upon the weight of the arm 34A and its contained balls. Several minutes should elapse after the rain fall begins, before the detlecting device becomes automatically reversed, so as to allow sufficient time for the roof or other water-shed to be thoroughly washed off and cleansed before the water is permitted to pass to the cistern. The opening 38 is, of course, smaller than the opening 35a.

The lower end of the oscillatory spout, 23 is provided on' two opposite sides with outwardlyiared flanges, 43 that are adapted to the lower front part of the casin g.

bear alternately against the opposite sides of a transverse vertical partition or bridge-wall 44 that is'extended across the lower part of the casing l in such manner as to divide the r` said lower part of the casing into two compartments, one of which communicates with the waste pipe 3 that may lead to a sewer or drain, while the other communicates with the outlet pipe, 4, which should discharge into a cistern or other reservoir for clean water. In the lower part of the spout 23 are also two opposite inwardly inclined lips 45 which are soarranged as to cause the descending water to fall clear of either side of the bridge wall 44 while the fianges 43'v serve alternately to prevent any reflex flow or regurgitation of water, discharged from the spout 23 and also act as stays, to hold the cruciform. deiecting device steadily in its alternate positions.

The bridge wall or partition 44 is'fastened l water-tight to the bottom and rear wall of the casing-1, and is secured, water tight, atits front end to the inner side of a dam or splasher 46 which is firmly attached across The junction of the lower edge of this dam or splasher 'with the rim of the casing should be made water-tight. This splasher may be crescent shaped as shown in Fig. l and at its center it should equal the height of the bridgewall or partition, 44. The object of the dam or splasher 46 is to prevent the water from beating against the lower edge of the removable lid 2 8 at its junction with the casing rim, thus obviating leakage. (See Figs. l and 6.)

Over the upper end of the outlet pipe 4, through which clean water isto be conducted to a cistern, may be placed a removable curved strainer or filter 47, made of fine wire cloth or other suitable filtering material. This removable screen or filter is not, however, essential and may be dispensed with.

IOO

Although the upper ends of the outlet pipes 3 and 4 may be circular, I prefer to have them dared from front to rear as shown in Fig.. 2 and thereby increase their capacity yfor receiving at once all the water asit is discharged by the oscillatory deflecting spout, they being adjusted to elliptical outlet holes across the bottom of the casing.

When the oscillatory defiectin g mechanism is in the normal position shown in Fig. l, with the spout 23 and the waste pipe 3 in cornmunication with each other, the first flow of water from the roof or other water-shed will pass through the gutter spout to the connected receivingspout 9, in which, by means of acts to still further lessen the force of the falling waters Should the `flow of water be oonsiderahleand dually `fill lthe hreakwaterz tankvl .a Lportion of threwater will pass overl the Wall 17,a-nd through the centrally lo-i cated spout 19 `vwhich is arrangedtodirect this portion of the `water directlyon-to the centerof lthe VAcentrally perforated deflectorj 21, which .also treceives a directlydesoending flowfofvwater fromthe central, lateral series of enlarged perforations 20in theperforatedbottom 16, of the breakwater. A portionofthelwater/falling onto the dolector ,21 passes from its en d onto-th e-screen or filter 3.7 and through the sameintothetrough `35 while another portion passes through :theQQRtraLSerios of apen. forations 22 Yinto the inclined `trough 36 and; thenceihroughgthe trough 35 .and outlet 35%, into thehollow anmor cup, 33 Qf-'theosillatony j dedeeting mechanism- Meanwhileotcourse, the main loody of soiled water from V:the roof passes ,down ktllroueh the .main delieotingi spout, f2s, yto ,the waste ypipe.- 'During Ythis 0P- eration thefans@ 43,1and'lipsfliinmediately adjacent-'tothe V bridge wall y44, ,will -preven-t anyfescapeof soiled `waterover said bridge- Vwall-to the pine-4, leadingzto thecistern. Althougha .portionof frtherwater .entering :the hollow varm .or cup ,33 will escape slowly' through its youtletti,:to the Waste pipe 3, .a f sufoiont quantity will .be fretaineditb permit a-eradlial filling Qfsaid cup until it-,thereby f becomes so Aheavy as to overbalance vthe, weightedarmciand :thus oscillante or lshi-ft thefspout 23 insuch-manneras tch-ring its lowerend-intopconnmunicatiouqwith the pipe f 4 leading to thecistern. Meanwhileithe roof or water-shed has been washed oit so tillatthe j` cistern will now receive only 4clean waterg` When ,the oscillatory Aspout :2,3 thus shiftsv its 1 posi-tion'i-.the balls vorrolling weights ,42in the arm 3 4'Will gravitate toward 'the in ner end of ,I saidarm, their relative weightbeingthereby lessened, and `joy thus occupying a position near `the center of Vthe device, will serve ,to hold-the spout steadily Ainthe positionthat it i has 4assumed,so that there may nowbeta1 continnousiiow ofclean .water to the cistern. It isgevident that as long as ,the-rainfall continuesntheeup 33 will be keptfilled withwater and by its-re1atively increased weightvwill f hold thespout; 23-in` communicationwith the cstern; but when the -rain vfall ceases the cup. 23 ywill gradually loseall of its contained Water throughthe outlet 38, the weight ofthe cup will diminish andbetinally overcome by the Weighted arm .34 in which the balls 42 will again roll to the outer end, and thus-the spout 23 will be-shifted back to its normal position in communication with the wastepipe 3` in which position it -will remain until theabove described ,operation is repeated on recurrenceof asuflicient rain-fall. It will be thus observed that the arms33 and 34 areso arranged las to constitute automatically adjustable weights for causing the detlecting mechanism t0 oscillate automatically as 4required. The exit 38 being located at the lowest point in the bottom of the hollow arm .or vcup 33, ,no imoisture ,will :remain .fthereinto for-meinst, and tit Will be -ohsenved, also, that all the 4parts of fthefapparatus are so arranged v bearing or fkeeper, :50 attached-ein suitafblerpos ition to the inside of the casing-rim. `iX/Villen fthe'bolt, 48, is -thusengagediin the :keeper V50 thespout 23 twill ,be prevented `from moving under the weight of` any Water accumulating in the cup 33'during ay rainfall. Inorder-to pievenftft-l1eJOolt 48 from slippingdown into kaccidentalengagementwith the keeper 50,-the

rear endof the bolt is provided 'withabent handle, 51that, when-the -bolt isdrawnback, may be turned. dow-n into engagement with a lugor stop-52 on the arm 34and sophold the bolt ina retracted` position andfpermitftheapparatns to loperateautomatically inthe manner described.

-It maybe Ynoted :that the hopper-13,the `vertical -oscillatory arm L or. spout'23 LAand the outlet pipes 3 and 4 are all more ap-acious vthan thedown spouts-fromtheroof and connected elbowrspout '9,thus .obviating any ,engorge- -ment of rain .water inthe automatic cut-0E and filter.

AsshowninFigsfZ and 5 it `is lpreferable to provide the casing l'with a -removablefront lid 28 which may have an annularangexS, fitted closely around the rim of .the casing. This lid or removable `front 28fis preferably yprovided witha door 54, -mounted'on'hinges 55, and having a handle 56,and a spring `catch or other su-itable fasteningx57, so that by opening said door the interior of the appa- Arfatus maybe inspected `)Without removingthe lid. The `lid may also, if desired, beprovided with a ring or handle 58, as shown in Fig. '5,

Yand located at aplace most convenient top or bottom. The lid 28 is removable for the pur- -pose of placing within the casing and taking out of itthe oscillatory, cruciform deflecting device 23, 33, and 34; also vthe bar 27 is removable for the same purpose.

What I claim as. my invention isf- 1. The combination of a casing 1; the pipes 3 and 4leadingtherefrom; the hopper 13'provided with screen or filter 14; thevtank 15inclosed in said hopper and having a foraminous bottom 16and discharge spout 19; the deflector 21,at the lower end of thehopper; the oscillatory detlector havinga vertical hollow arm or spout 23, weighted arm 34 and cup IIO or hollow arm 33provided with exit 38; the

troughs 35 and 36 supported in the spout or vertical hollow arm 23 and communicating with the cup or transverse hollow arm 33; the filter 37 supported on the trough 35; and the removable filter 47 arranged across the space or passage that communicates with the discharge pipe 4, leading to the cistern, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the casing 1; the pipes 3 and 4 leading therefrom; the partition 44; the oscillatory detlector comprising a vertical hollow arm or spout 23 provided at its lower end with lips or flanges 43 and 45, the hollow transverse arm 34 inclosing weights 42 and provided with a bolt 48, the hollow transverse arm or cup 33 communicating with the vertical hollow arm 23 and arranged to receive water therefrom to overbalance the weighted arm, and the hopper 13, substantially as described.

3. The combination of the casing 1, having its lower portion provided with the partition 44; the spout 23 having at its lower end, lips or anges 43 and 45 and provided with the weighted arm 34 and a hollow transverse arm 33 that communicates with and receives water from said spout, and the hopper 13, substantially as described.

4. The combination of a casing having in its top a hopper or inlet for water and provided at the bottom with a waste-pipe and with an outlet pipe to a cistern; a screen or filter in the upper part of the hopper; a breakwater located in the hopper below said screen and a deflector at the lower end of the hopper; and an oscillatory cross-'shaped deilector located in the casing and comprising a hollow vertical arm or spout having on one side a weighted arm and on the other side a hollow arm or cup adapted to receive sufficient water to overbalance the weighted arm and automatically shift the deiiector spout, substantially as described.

5. The combination of the casing 1, the vhopper 13 having screen or filter 14 and breakwater tank 15 provided with a foraminous bottom 16 having a central lateral series of enlarged perforations 20; the deil'ector 21 located at the bottom of the hopper and provided with a central series of perforations 22; the oscillatory spout 23 having troughs 35 and 36 and provided on one side with a hollow arm or cup 33 to receive water from the trough 35 and having on the other side a'weighted arm 34; and the outlet pipes 3 and 4, substantially as described.

6. The combination of the casing 1; the partition 44 in the bottom of the casing; the dam or splasher 46; the outlet pipes 3 and 4; the defiecting device comprising an oscillatory spout 23 having flanges 43 and lips 45 at its lower end; and the removable front or lid 28, substantially as described.

7. The combination ofthe casing 1 having outlet pipes 3 and 4, the vertical partition 44 located in the bottom of the casing between said pipes; the dam or splasher 46 secured across the lower front portion of the casing; and the removable front or lid 28 having a door 54, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribingV witnesses.

. WILLIAM W. BAYS.

Witnesses:

T. A.`SNow, WILL BAYs. 

